Bulk-Billing may end for after-hours home doctor services - petition!

[ElizaDoLittle]

I'm in two minds. I have used the service before I realised the insane amount of money they bill Medicare for... and the sneaky was they will often say oh has anyone else in the family been unwell.. and then bill them as well. Our health care system can't maintain that.. but then neither can our emergency rooms continue to deal with the garbage people turn up for. So very torn. I think it needs to stay, but the amount they bill Medicare for needs to be reduced and it needs to be more tightly regulated.

[babyno1onboard]

I have not used it.

Honestly, I would be fine paying a gap for me. But I think they should bulk bill children, pensioners and HCC holders (I think all doctors should).

I agree with this. I have to pay a gap to go to a normal doctor, so why not one for an after hours home service doctor? Seems odd to me that they are currently bulk billed! And yes they should bulk bill kids, HCC holders etc.

[twinklify]

Irony is me using this for the first time tonight.

I still would happily pay a gap though.

[babyno1onboard]

Irony is me using this for the first time tonight.

I still would happily pay a gap though.

Oh no! I hope everything is ok.

[twinklify]

Oh no! I hope everything is ok.

Suspected gastro. Joy.

[ICanDream]

I agree with this. I have to pay a gap to go to a normal doctor, so why not one for an after hours home service doctor? Seems odd to me that they are currently bulk billed! And yes they should bulk bill kids, HCC holders etc.

I believe they are bulk billed to encourage people to use it rather than clog up emergency rooms. If they charged what doctors normally charge out of hours it would probably be a disincentive due to cost.